I live in the city and we have had losses due to opossum and dogs and several close calls with a hawk. I have also seen raccoons, weasels (yes I know it is crazy but we have seen it 2 times, I think it is the same one), skunks, foxes, Hawks, falcons, and god knows what else that I haven't seen. The hawk would come down and sit on top of the run (A-frame with wire on all sides). Our yard is fenced in but most predators can climb either the fence or a tree to get to the food source. It is not pretty when your 9 year old goes out to let out the chickens and finds body parts. That was our first loss due to a opossum, the girls were locked in but there was a 2 in gap in the eves and it reached in and got a small girl. During the summer I left the pop door open because it was so hot and my husband heard the girls going crazy about 4 in the morning and he ran out and a opossum had gotten into the enclosed run somehow and was chasing the chickens around. So after that no matter how hot it was all doors were closed. Final attack was a neighbors dog not too long ago, this was during the day, and it tore open the run (chicken wire) and killed 3 immediately and 1 had to be put down. So yes close the door. And chicken wire is not the way to go...I knew that but thought during the day we were ok since we learned our lesson and locked them up at night. Because of the last attack we bought a new coop, put up a new fence and are building a run that I am going to make sure nothing can get in but us! This has caused a lot of inconvenience and a lot of COST but I love my chickens and will do anything for them and can't wait to get my chicks in June! Good luck
